the Ninth Handcart Company naturally thought there would be a similar reception upon their own arrival (or they were actually told there would be a similar reception.) Such was not the case, and Eliza's brother, Ephraim, later recalled the disappointment that no one had come to greet them after their having traveled such a great distance under difficult conditions to make their home amongst these people. The only persons who met the company were those who came for belongings which were carried across the plains, and a few people with teams who came to take with them their relatives and friends who had come through with the handcart company. Because this was the fifth year of handcart companies arriving, it is possible that the novelty had worn off, and the people in the valley were concerned with eking out a living. The Ninth Handcart Company was one of the last handcart companies and one of the most successful in its journey. Their arrival was reported by the Deseret News," Captain Robison brought into the city on Monday afternoon the first of the season's Handcart companies apparently in general good health . . . One child had died en route, and one ox had been lost." Fairly good weather conditions and enough wagons to relieve the weary or sick accounted in part for the low mortality in the Ninth Handcart Company. It had taken eleven weeks to make the long hard journey. Wagons, carts, tents, and oxen - everything that was used on their journey - belonged to the Mormon Church and, therefore, was returned to the Church. Conrad, Eliza, and their two girls stayed in Salt Lake for three days, then they moved to Farmington, Utah. Farmington is sixteen miles north of Salt Lake and is situated close to the Wasatch Mountains on the east. Farmington was named after a town in Connecticut (Wilford Woodruff's birthplace) and because of its rich farmland. Farmington, originally called North Cottonwood, was first settled in 1847, thirteen years before Conrad and Eliza arrived there. Their first home was a one-room log house. Times must have been especially hard that first winter being they arrived so late in the year. About four months after making their new home in Farmington, Conrad and Eliza traveled to Salt Lake City and in the old Endowment House received their Endowments and were sealed for time and all eternity. (January 12,1861). They endured many hardships because of their poverty. It was necessary for Eliza to go out and work for the more fortunate families and receive food in Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us Together return for her services. Wherever the men worked, they received store pay or grain. Money was scarce. While living in Farmington, one of the worst snowstorms hit this small town. A cold east wind raged for three days, blowing and snowing the whole time. The little house rocked with the wind, and the snow drifted in between the cracks in the logs. The neighbors helped one another prop up the houses to keep them from blowing down. Eliza and her children (three now) had to stay in bed to keep warm. Conrad tried to keep a fire going until the fuel ran out. He did not dare leave to gather more wood. Their cows, pigs and chickens were completely covered with snow. When the storm quieted down, Conrad went outside to see if the animals were still alive. The old cow moo'd and was so glad to see him. The pigs were alive, and the chickens were still on the roosts. Conrad, Eliza and their little family were surely thankful to their Father in Heaven when this furious storm ended, and no lives were lost. These very strong winds known as the "east winds" have long plagued the residents of Farmington. The wind would blow in short hard gusts, unroofing homes, schools, uprooting trees and later, overturning trains. When it was observed that the long gray cloud was forming over the mountains east of town, the townspeople quickly took what precautions they could to protect themselves and their property. To lessen the possibility of roofs being blown off, stout poles were put across their roofs, then log chains were fastened to each end of the poles. To the chains the settlers attached large barrels of molasses and boxes and tubs filled with stones. Conrad was an excellent rock mason by trade and helped lay rock for homes in that area in addition to helping lay the rock for the old Farmington Rock Chapel. In 1861 construction began on this chapel, the first structure in that area built specifically for church meetings. There was only $12 in cash among the 160 pioneer families, but a great amount of determination. After holding a prayer circle to seek direction from the Lord, a bad storm hit the area. From this storm came landslides which deposited rocks and gravel a short distance from the building site. Thus, building materials were provided within easy reach. This act was a real faith promoter among the Saints. Most everyone in town helped in some way. Small boys carried drinking water, and the women prepared and served food to the workers. The handmade wooden benches would seat around 400 people, were very low to the floor, and were full of slivers. Near the stairs was a small white room called the Prayer Room, very sacred to the people.